[The roles of the prostanoids played in the body]

The actions of prostanoids in various physiological and pathophysiological conditions have been examined using mice lacking the prostanoid receptors. PGD2 was found to be a mediator of allergic asthma. Prostaglandin (PG) I2 worked not only as a mediator of inflammation but also as an antithrombotic and cardio-protective agent. Several important actions of PGE2 are brought out via the PGE2-receptor subtype EP3; PGE2 participated in the regulation of platelet function, and it worked as a mediator of febrile responses to both endogenous and exogenous pyrogens. These novel findings on the roles of the prostanoids would contribute to the development of drugs targeting the prostanoid receptors.